24-06-2025
England can chase 371: Josh Tongue warns India ahead of Day 5
England fast bowler Josh Tongue has issued a warning to India ahead of Day 5 of the ongoing first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Chasing a daunting 371 in the fourth innings, England are 21 for 0 after six solid overs before stumps, having safely negotiated the tricky phase with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley returning were earlier bowled out for 364 in their second innings, thanks to fine centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118). With all ten wickets in hand and 350 runs required on the final day, Tongue expressed full confidence in England's ability to pull off a record vs IND 1st Test Day 4 Highlights
'Go for the chase tomorrow, that's the messaging in the dressing room. There's no reason we can't chase it down. Hopefully we won't be in a situation to play out for a draw. See where we are at lunch and calculate. We can chase anything,' said Tongue in the press conference at the end of the day's highest successful chase at Headingley remains Australia's 404 in 1948 under Don Bradman. More recently, England famously chased down 359 at the same venue during the 2019 Ashes, led by Ben Stokes' unforgettable 135*.England's highest successful fourth-innings chase also came against India, when Jonny Bairstow (114) and Joe Root (142) completed a 378-run chase back in 2022 in Edgbaston. Since Ben Stokes took over as captain alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, England's record in run chases has been nothing short of Three Lions have already completed five successful chases of 250-plus totals under their current regime, with the highest being the 378-run pursuit against India. Understandably, India will be wary of England's batting firepower and their ability to shift momentum quickly through an aggressive scoring rate. The Shubman Gill-led side will be heavily reliant on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who will need strong support from Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj to contain the English charge.- Ends
